UCONN FOOTBALL: Tight end Ryan Griffin getting more involved in passing game again

By Jim Fuller

Friday, November 16, 2012

STORRS -- A few eyes were opened when John Delahunt began the season as the starter at tight end ahead of Ryan Griffin. Even more eyebrows were raised when Griffin seemingly spent as much time as a blocker as he did going out on pass patterns during the early portion of the season.

In four of the first five games, one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in UConn history was limited to a single catch including a two-game stretch against North Carolina State and Maryland when he managed a mere six yards on two receptions.

With the offensive line struggling to open holes for tailback Lyle McCombs and quarterback Chandler Whitmer under heavy duress, it appeared as if one of the most reliable and intriguing options in UConn's passing game would be relegated to being little more than a glorified sixth offensive linemen.

However, there was a subtle change as the calendar shifted from September to October. Griffin was one of the few offensive bright spots in an Oct. 6 loss at Rutgers, catching three passes for 31 yards. Griffin hasn't looked back since and has caught multiple passes in each of the last five games with at least one 25-yard reception in each of the last five games.

His best game -- at least statistically -- came in last week's win over Pittsburgh. He had six catches for 84 yards. Three of those grabs came on the first drive of the game, including a 2-yard touchdown reception. Griffin's line could have been even more impressive -- he was held without a catch in the second half.

"I don't think I have had six catches in a game never mind in a half," said Griffin, who is tied for 10th on UConn's career list with 113 receptions. Brian Kozlowski, who played in the NFL for 14 seasons, is the only UConn tight end with more catches and receiving yards.

After managing just seven catches in the first five games, Griffin probably wondered if he would even have six passes thrown his way in a game this season.

If he was frustrated, he did a nice job of keeping it to himself.

"I try to be as versatile as possible," said Griffin, who has caught at least one pass in 32 of his last 33 games. "If they need me out there running routes, I try to be a guy who catches the ball consistently. If they need me to block, then I need to be like a sixth lineman and make sure we are protecting Chandler as a unit."

As the season has progressed, the Huskies have made it a priority to get the 6-foot-6, 247-pound NFL prospect more involved in the passing game.

Griffin isn't just limited to catching the ball over the middle, where tight ends usually do most of their damage. In the Pittsburgh game he made a highlight-variety grab along the sideline and was able to stretch the field on a post route showing off his versatility in front of a host of NFL scouts. More scouts figure to be in attendance on Nov. 24 when the Huskies play at Louisville.

"He is a great player, a big target and he goes up and gets the ball," Whitmer said. "He does a great job blocking and obviously everybody knows how good of a talent he is."